Forming and breadking head for wire rope stranders and closers



Jan. 9, 1934.A w.'E. soMERvlLLE FORMING AND BREAKING HEAD FOR WIREROPE STRANDERS AND CLOSERS 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Dec; 26, 1931 ,Jrl V?? for 5 Zd l Z c2772 E 5o merdlle,

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FORMING AND BREAKING HEAD FOR WIRE ROPE STRANDERS AND CLOSERS Filed Deo. ze, 1951 2 sheets-sheet 2 7: Z

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Pafenteduan. 9, 1934 FORMIG BREAKING HEAD FOR WIRE ROPE STRANDERS ANDA CLOSERS William E. Somerville, Coall City, lll.

Application December 26, 1931 Serial No. 583,349

17 Claims. `(Cl. 117-7-20) This invention relates in general to the production of stranded wire'structures in which the wires or strands are laid or wrapped around a core to produce a cable, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved stranding or closing head which may be quickly and g readily attached to the machine and by means of the use of which each of the component parts of 1 the stranded wire structure will be formed or -0 set to the general contour they will assume in the assembled structure, so that they will lay inert and will not tend to unravel when the stranded structure, wire or -cable is severed.

A further object is to provide an improved 1 stranding or closing head of this character which will be of. a simple, durable and lcomparatively t cheap construction, and in which head the number of parts heretofore employed and necessary for producing a stranded wire cable or the like e0 have been materially reduced.

A further object is to provide in a device of this character improved means embodying spaced forming heads or dies between which the several strands are form'ed into helices about a core, and -then, as the strands are advanced, unwound and passed through one of the heads or guiding members to be again wound or laid around a central core to produce the final stranded product, and improved means whereby the length or extent of the wrap of the helices intermediate said heads or dies may be varied at will.

A further object is to provide an improved head of this character embodying means whereby I, the strands or wires will be formed in one direction and subsequentlyshaped or formed so as to be wrapped or laid in the opposite direction about the final core, thereby performing what is commonly known in the art as breaking the material, that is, bending the material in the opposite direction from that in which itwill be bent` in the final product, so as to neutralize or coun- -)erat any tendency in the material to twistor en Y 5 To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combnation'and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention and in which Figure 1 isa view in vertical section of a stranding head of this character constructed in accordhaving at the extremities thereof an annular end ance with the principles of this invention, as taken' on line 1 1, Figure 3, andshowing a portion of the machine to which the head is applied.

Figure 2 is a. sectional view taken on line 2 2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3, 60 Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, of a modied form of the invention.

Figure 5 is al sectional view taken on line 5 5, Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view partly in diagram, and similar to Figure 4, with parts omitted, in which the strands or wire are rst formed in one direction and then in the opposite direction to brea the material to cause it to be inert.

Referring more particularly to the drawings and` in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 3, the numeral 10 designates a tubular shaft of the `machine to which is secured in any suitable manner an operating gear 11, the gear being journaled in a suitable support or bearing 12 and is rotated by means of a driving gear 13operated from any suitable source, not shown.

The stranding or closing head consists essentially of two members 14-15 which are secured tof the gear 11 for rotation therewith in any suitable manner by means of fastening screws 16, and these members 14-15 are preferably of a channel formation as shown more clearly in Figure A3,

memberV 17 and arranged between the members 14 and 15 is a guidingflange or member 19 having openings 20 therethrough and through which 'the individual strands 21 of the material to be shaped pass. A guiding ange or member 22 is 90 supported within the end member 17, preferably between a shoulder 23 and a plate or member 24, which latter is secured in position by means of fastening screws 25 so thatthe guide member 22 may be axially rotated through the medium of a Worm 26 meshing ,with a worm gear 2'1 that forms a part of and is preferably arranged about the periphery of the member 22. The worm 26 is secured to a shaft 28 and mend of the shaft is preferably angular in cross section as at 29, for 'a wrench by means of which the worm may be rotated and the guide member 22 is axially rotated with respect to, the guide member or ange I9. The guide member v22 is provided with openings 30 therethrough and through which the strands of the structure pass. v

Carried by the flange or member 19 is a' forming die-31 preferably of a frustro-conical formation, and a similar die or forming member 32 is carried by the guide member 22., These two dies 1110 31-32 are provided respectively with openings 33-34 therethrough and the openings are in alinement so that a core 35 about which the stranded structure is formed and which passes through the tubular shaft 10 may also pass.

The guide member or flange 19 is adapted to be adjusted in directions toward and away from the guide member 22 in any suitable manner such as by means of rods 36 having their extremities 37 provided with screw threads threaded through the flange or guide member 19. The other ends of the rods 36 are rotatably mounted in the end member 17.

Carried by each of .the rods 36 are gears 38 and a ring gear 39 is arranged intermediate the gears 38 to mesh therewith. The ring gear may be held in position in any suitable manner, such as by means of a plate 40 held in position by fastening screws 41. l.

One of the rods 36 is preferably provided With a head 42 angular in cross section and adapted to receive a tool by means of which that particular rod 36 may be rotated and when rotated the gear 38 thereon will operate the ring gear 39, and this in turn will rotate the other rod 36. causing the threaded extremities of the rods 36 to move the guide plate or fiange 19 towards or away from the guide member 22 according to the direction of rotation of the rods 36.

In order to prevent the flange or guide member 19 from rotating, the extremities thereof may be reduced as at 43 toproject into the channels of the members 14 and 15.

It will thus be seen that the guide member 22 may be axially rotated with respect to the guide member or flange 19 so as to vary the relative position of the openings 30 through the guide member 22 with respect to the openings 20 through the flange or guide member 19 and thereby vary the shape or length of coil of the helices formed in the strands 21.

In use and with this form of the invention the core wire 35 is threaded through the dies 31-32 and the strands 21 are threaded through the openings 20 of the ange or guide member 19, and if desired the strands 21 may then be shaped to form helices 44 about the core 35 between the dies 31--32 and then the ends of the strands 21 threaded through the openings 30 of the guide member 22 to be again coiled about the core wire 35 beyond the guide member 22.

However, the preferred method of operation is to aline the openings in the members 31 and 32 The strands 21 and core 35 are advanced together and during the rotation of the strander and closer head, the strands 21 will be flrst formed into the general shape they will assume in the finished or completed structure, by winding the strands about the core wire 35 intermediate the dies 317-32. This is accomplished by axially rotating the member or die 32 with respect to the member or die 31, and the number of laps or lays may be varied by the extent of such axial rotation of the member 32 with respect to the lmember 31. By a rotation of the stranding or closing head, and as the strands 21 pass through the openings 30 in the guide plate 22, the helices 44 will be unwound, but will be formed by such operation. and after passing through the openings 30 beyond the guide member l22 they will again be wound about the core wire 35 to be advanced with the core during the remaining portion of the operation of the machine. By rotatably displacing or adjusting the guide plate 22 with respect to the flange or guide member 19, the length of the wrap or lay of the helices 44 between the dies 31-32 will be varied.

j The length or extent of the lap or lay of the strands about the core intermediate the members or dies 311-32 may also be controlled and varied by adjusting the dies or members 31-32 toward or away from each other.

It has-been found in the manufacture of wire rope or cable by the use of this device, and when a core separate from the nal core, which isemployed in the rope or cable, is used between the dies 31 and 32, the separate c'ore must be of a diameter greater than the diameter of the nal core, and the length of twists must be shorter than the length of the final twist or lay so as to insure that the final lay will closely hug the final core.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, a separate core 45 is employed between the dies 31 and 32. This separate core 45 may beA of any desired material,

'the same being inserted in the openings 33--34 of the dies to project into the other and may be readily removed when desired, so that cores of different diameters may be interchanged therewith.

In carrying out this invention the ange or guide member 19 is provided with an additional opening 4'7 therethrough and the die 32 is provided with an opening 48 therethrough, which latter is arranged to communicate with an opening 34 in the die 32. In the form of the invention shown in Figure 4, the core wire 49 which constitutes the final core and which passes through the tubular shaft 10 is deflected and directed through the opening 4'7 in the flange or guide member 19 and thence through the opening 48 in the die 32, the end of the core wire 49 then passing into the opening 34 of the die 32 and out of the end thereof in alinement with such opening so that the coils 50 of the assembled structure will be wrapped about the core. In this form of the invention the forming coils or helices 51 are shaped about the core 45 between the dies 31-32.

In the form ofthe invention as shown in Figure 6, the helices or coils 51*al between the dies 31 and 32 are wrapped or formed about the separate core 45 in one direction while the coils or helices 53EL l are wrapped or formed about the final core 49 in the opposite direction, with the result, that in the manufacture, the strands will be broken, so that they will lie inert in the flnal product.

In either form of the invention and by rotating the guide member 22 the shapes of the laps or lay of the helices 44 and 51 between the dies and about the core may be varied and by moving the flange or guide member 19 toward or away from the guide member 22, the extent of wrap of the coils or length of the helices between the die members may also be varied.

In either form of the invention and after the coils 44 and 51 have been formed. and the completed structure 50 is advanced, which will cause the strands as well as the core wire to be advanced by being wound upon a drum or the like 52, the strands passing over the die 32, will cause the respective coils or helices 44 and 51 to be unwound'and after passing over the die 32, will be y again wound upon the core wireA as at 50, with the result that by the forming of the strands into the appropriate shapes or coils which they will assume in the composite structure, they will lay inert and all tendency of the coils or strands to unravel or unwrap when the cable or completed structure is severed will be avoided.

It will be manifest that with the present invention a great many of the parts which it has heretoforebeen necessary to employ in machines of this character, have been dispensed with and as a result there will be produced a simple, compact, durable and comparatively cheap structure.

While the preferred forms of the invention have been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of vthis invention, and if desired the dies 31--32 carried by the guide plates or members 19-22 may be omitted, and at the same time produce a very eilicient product in accordance with the principles of this invention.

What is claimed as new iszl. A stranding and closing head for shaping a plurality of wires or strands of a stranded wire structure into `the approximate form each will assume in the structure, said head comprising guide members through which the strands or wires pass and are maintained separated', said members being spaced from each other and between which members the individual strands or 4wires are formed into helices, a 'core extending across the space intermediate the said members and about which core the strands orwires are wound, means for advancing the strands or wires, and means for rotatively adjusting said guide members about their axes, one with relation to the other to any desired extent, including a full turn or more.

2. A stranding and closing head for shaping a plurality of wires or strands of a stranded structure into the approximate form each will assume in the assembled structure, the said head embodying spaced guide members through which the wires or strands are passed, a forming core extending across the space betweensaid members, means for rotating the head to form the strands into helices about the said core, one of said members operating to separate the strands from the core as the strands or wires are advanced, to remove said helices, a rope core separate from the rst said core, the strands or wires being directed to and about the said rope core beyond the last said guide member to be wrapped or laid therearound, and means for relatively adjusting said members one toward and away from the other to vary the length of the helices.

3. A stranding and closing head forshaping a plurality of wires or strands of a stranded structure into the approximate form each will assume in the assembled structure, said head embodying spaced dies over which the strands or wires are passed, a core-extending across the space between the dies, means for rotating the head to form the strands or wires-.into helices about the core intermediate the dies, one of said dies operating to separate the strands or wires from the core as the core and strands or wires are advanced to remove said helices, the strands or wires being directed to and about the corebeyond the last said die to be wrapped orlaid therearound, and means for varying at will the length of the lay of the helices between the said dies with respect to the length of the lay in the finished vproduct,`by rotatably adjusting one of said dies with respect tothe other for a full turn or more.

4. A strandng and closing head for shaping a plurality of wires or strands of a stranded structure into the approximate form each will assume in the assembled structure, said head embodying guide members through which the strands or wires are passed, a forming core extending across the space between the members, means for rotating the head to form the-strands into helices about the said core, one of said members operating to separate the strands from the core and for guiding an additional core wire over and clear of the core intermediate the said members and through one of the said members to a position that the strands or wires will be wrapped therearound after as a iinal or rope` core the strands or wires have been separated and as the strands or wires and the last said core are being advanced. 5. In an apparatus for the manufacture of astranded wire rope or cable, means for bringing the strands or wires together between spaced forming members, means for rotating the members and strands or wires to twist the strands -or wires about a core between the said members,

means for advancing the strands or wires to cause one 'of the members to separate the strands or wires from the core and remove the shape into which the strands or wires have been twisted, and means for bringing the strands or wires to,- gether and twisting or laying them about a core in the opposite direction from which they were wrapped or laid about the rst recited core while the strands or wires and the last said core are being advanced. y

6. A stranding and closing head for forming the individual strands or wires of a composite wire or rope structure embodying spaced guide members, one of theguide members operating to bring the strands' or wires together in the space between the said members, and the other `guide member operating to direct the strands or wires away from the said space to separate the strands or wires and to direct them together to be wound about a final core beyond the last said member, a pre-forming core separate from the nal core and extending across the space between the said members, and means for rotating the head to cause the strands or wires to be twisted about the said pre-forming core between the said members and untwisted again, and then twisted about the final core beyond the last said member into the nished composite structure.

7. A stranding and closing head for forming the individual strands or wires of a composite wire or rope structure embodying spaced guide members, one of the guide members operating to bring the strands or wires together in the space between the said members and the other guidemember operating toldirect the strands or wires away from the said space to separate the strands or wires and to direct them together to be wound about a core beyond the last said member, a core extending across the space between J the said members, and means for rotating the head to cause the strands or wires to be twisted about the core between the said members and untwisted again, and then'twisted in the opposite direction from which they were rst twisted about a core, and about a core beyond the last said member into the finished composite structure.

8. A stranding and closing head for forming the individual strands or wires of a composite wire or rope structure embodying spaced guide members, one of the guide members operating to bring the strands or wires together in the space between said members and the other guide member operating to direct the strands or wires away from the said space to separate the strands or wires and to direct them together to be wound about a core between the last said members, a forming core extending across the space between the said members, means for rotating the head to cause the strands or wires to be twisted about the said forming core and untwisted again, and then twisted about a separate final core beyond the last said member into the finished composite structure, and means for adjusting said members one toward and away from the other.

9. A stranding and closing head for forming theindividual strands or wires .of a composite wire or rope structure embodying spaced guide members, conically shaped portions adjacent the proximate faces of said members, one of said guide members operatingl to bring the strands or wires together into the space between the said members and the other guide member operating to direct the strands or wires away from the said space to separate the strands or wires and to direct them together to be wound about a :final core beyond the last said member, a forming core extending across the space between the said conically shaped portions and guide members, means for rotating the head to cause the strands or wires to be twisted about the said forming core between the conically shaped portions and untwisted again, and then twisted about the final core beyond the last said member into the finished composite structure, and means for axially displacing one of said guide members with relation to the other.

10. A stranding and closing head for shaping a plurality of wires or strands of a stranded wire structure into the approximate form each will assume in the finished structure, said head comprising spaced members between which the individual strands or Wires are formed into helices, a core stationary with respect to said members and extending across the space therebetween and about which core the strands or wires are wound and unwound as the strands are advanced, and means for rotating said members.

l1. A stranding and closing head for shaping a plurality of Wires or strands of a stranded wire structure into the approximate form each will assume in the iinished structure, said head comprising spaced members getween which the individual strands or wires are formed into helices, a core stationary with respect to said members and extending across the space therebetween and about which core the strands or wires are wound and unwound as the strands are advanced, means for rotating said members, a final or rope core separate from the first said core and about which nal core the strands are wound, and means for axially and xedly adjusting one of said members with relation to the other for varying the number of turns of the strands about the stationary core.

12. A stranding and closing head tor shaping a plurality of wires or strands of a stranded wire structure into the approximate form each will assume in the finished structure, said head comprising spaced members between which the individual strands or wires are formed into helices, a core stationary with respect to said members and extending across the space therebetween and about which core the strands or wires are wound and unwound as the strands are advanced, means for rotating said members, a nal or rope core separate from the iirst said core and about which nal core the strands are wound, means for axially and fixedly adjusting one of said members with relation to the other for varying the number of turns of the strands about the stationary core, and means for adjusting the members toward and away from each other to vary the length of the lay of the strands about said stationary core.

13. A stranding and closing head for shaping a plurality of wires or strands ofa stranded Wire structure into the approximate form each will assume in the nished structure, said head com' prising spaced members between which the individual strands or wires areformed into helices, a removably supported core stationary with respect to said members and extending across the space therebetween and about which `core the strands or wires are wound and unwound as the strands are advanced, and means for rotating said members.

14. A stranding and closing head for shaping a plurality of wires or strands of a stranded wire structure into the approximate form each will assume in the nished structure, said head comprising spaced members between which the individual strands or wires are formed into helices, a core stationary with respect to. said members and extending across the space therebetween and about which core the strands or wires are wound and unwound as the strands are advanced, means for rotating said members, and means for rotating at will one of said members with respect to the other to initially Wind or lay the individual strands orl wires about the said c'ore between said members.

l5. A stranding and closing head for shaping a plurality of wires or strands of a stranded wire structure into the approximate form .each will assume in the iinished structure, said head comprising spaced members between which the individual strands or wires are formed into helices,

a core extending across the space between saidV members and about which core the strands or wires are wound and unwound as the strands advance, means for rotating said members to wind and unwind the strands with respect to the said core and for again winding the strands about a rope core beyond the said members, and means for axially rotating one of the members with respect to the other to initially wind the strands about` the core between said members.

16. A stranding and closing head for shaping a plurality of wires or strands of a stranded wire structure into the approximate form each will assume in the finished structure, said head comprising spaced members between which the individual strands or wires are formed into helices, a core extending across the space between said members and about which core the strands or wires are wound and unwound as the strands advance, means for rotating said members to Wind and unwind the strands with respect to the said core and for again winding the strands about a -rope core beyond the said members, and means for axially rotating one of the members with respect to the other to initially wind the strands about the core between said members, the last said means also operating to control the number of twists around the core between said members.

17. A stranding and closing head for shaping a plurality of Awires or strands of a stranded wire 1,39

Structure into the approximate form each will assume in the finished structure, said head comprising spaced members between which the individual strands or wires are formed into helices, a core extending across the space between said members and about which core the strands or wires are wound and unwound as the strands advance, means for rotating said members to wind and unwind the strands with respect to the said core and for again winding the strands about a rope core beyond the said members,

WILLIAM E. SOMERVILLE. 

